Dust suppression agent

ABSTRACT

A composition for dust suppression including an acrylic polymer, a polyvinyl acetate polymer, glycerin, and water is herein disclosed.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 12/729,683filed Mar. 23, 2010, now pending and incorporated herein by reference.This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No.61/177,749 filed May 13, 2009 now pending and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety; and Provisional Patent Application No.61/234,388 filed Aug. 17, 2009 now pending and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety; and Provisional Patent Application No.61/309,223 filed Mar. 29, 2010, now pending and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

U.S. Ser. No. 12/729,683 claims priority to Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/165,235 filed Mar. 31, 2009 and Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/169,041 filed Apr. 14, 2009, both of which areincorporated herein by reference.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Field

This invention generally relates to methods and compositions forimproving the strength and longevity of secondary roadways throughenvironmentally sound practices; specifically, improved dustsuppression, soil stabilization, and water repellency.

B. Description of the Related Art

The engineering and construction of secondary roads (hereafter, “gravelroads,” “earth roads,” or “unpaved roads”) has been perpetually plaguedby two interrelated problems: the deterioration of the road due towater, and the loss of surface cohesion and road compaction due totraffic. The deleterious effects of water on roadways, in particular,are well documented in the prior art. In cold weather, moisture thatpenetrates a road's base layers freezes and rips cracks into the roadsubstrate that seriously undermine the load bearing capacity andlongevity of the roadway. Likewise, in milder weather, when water seepsinto the road's base layers it results in softening and erosion thatcauses potholes that are an expensive and recurring problem. And if thepotholes are not immediately repaired, they fill with water and furtherexacerbate the deterioration of the roadway.

The impact of water on secondary roads—such as rural roads, accessroads, field and forestry roads, or mountain roads—is especiallypronounced because the quality of the surfacing materials is lower thanin an asphalt paved road, for example, and thus provides reduced surfaceprotection from the elements. Additionally, because of capillary action,water also seeps into the road base from the sides and bottom of theroad's base or sub-base. Compared to sealed or “paved” roads, whichrequire large machinery to pour concrete or to lay and smooth abitumen-based surface, secondary unpaved roads are relatively easy andinexpensive to build. But unpaved roads require much more frequentmaintenance—particularly after wet periods or when faced with increasedtraffic—and are generally prone to other problems not associated withpaved roads.

For example, many secondary roads—of either an earth or gravelvariety—utilize native soils, often in conjunction with gravel quarriedfrom local resources, to create the road's sub-base and base layers.Unfortunately, native soils and gravel are not always of suitablequality, resulting in a road base with diminished physical andmechanical properties. When secondary roads are constructed of poor roadbase materials, routine maintenance is not strictly employed, and theroad is exposed to heavy moisture and/or traffic, the erosion of theroad—due to damage to the road surface, sub-base, and base materials—ishastened.

Defects in road surfaces are typically classified into two categories:surface deterioration and surface deformation. While surfacedeterioration is related mostly to the quality of the surfacingmaterials and the way they respond to weather or traffic stresses,surface deformations often have combined causes that include bothstresses to the road surface itself and other factors such as sub-baseand base capacity and stability.

Surface deterioration is exemplified by “dust,” the result of loss offine binder material from road surfaces. Dust is a substantial problemfor secondary roads, as the loss of these fine materials leads to othertypes of road distress such as loss of cohesion and compaction of theroad fill material, and reduced capacity to maintain the requisitemoisture in the road fill.

Surface deformations include ruts, corrugations, depressions, andpotholes. Ruts are longitudinal depressions in the wheel paths caused byhigh moisture content, inadequate strength in the subsurface soil orbase, inadequate surface course thickness, or heavy traffic loads.Corrugating or “washboarding” is a series of ridges and depressionsacross the road surface caused by lack of surface cohesion. Depressionsare localized low areas one or more inches below the surrounding roadsurfaces that are caused by settlement, excessive moisture content,and/or improper drainage. Potholes are small depressions or voids in theroad surface one or more inches deep which are caused by excessivemoisture content, poor drainage, weak sub-base or base, poorly gradedaggregate, or a combination of these factors.

As such, the problems typically associated with secondary roads—bothsurface deterioration and deformation—are caused by: 1) the harmfuleffects of water and high moisture content, including settlement anderosion, on the road surface and base, 2) the lack of surface cohesionand resulting loss of road compaction caused by dust, and 3) the heavytraffic loads exerted on roads with weak or inadequate soil, sub-base,or base.

Industry has provided for the addition of various chemical additives toimpart water repellency on road materials, with varying degrees ofsuccess and environmental impact. However, water repellant chemicals arenot binders, and load bearing capacity and stability are not improved bytheir application to the soil or road base. In many cases, dust can alsobe reduced on gravel roads by applying chemical additives (commonlyknown in the art as “dust suppressors” or “dust retardants”) which drawmoisture from the air to improve fine aggregate cohesion. And “soilstabilizers,” which are chemicals designed to act as binders andcoalesce forming bonds between the soil or aggregate particles, haveshown promise in greatly improving the load bearing and traffic capacityof the road. But existing soil stabilizers and dust retardants aredifficult to apply and use in cold climates, tend to have long curetimes, short life-cycles, and do not provide the requisite protectionagainst water damage; particularly excessive moisture content resultingfrom capillary action.

Therefore, a chemical composition capable of resisting theaforementioned problems—by providing water repellency for reducedmoisture content, dust retardant for improved surface cohesion, and soilstabilizers for improved load bearing and traffic capacity—would be ofgreat utility in the field of art; particularly if the chemicalcomposition could be applied in an economical and environmentally soundmanner. Although road builders have long employed soil additives as amechanism for preventing and avoiding surface deteriorations anddeformations, formulating a combination of chemicals and a methodologyfor applying the chemical additives in a cost-effective manner hasproved elusive. Specifically, although various chemicals have beenprovided for binding road base materials together for improved strengthand load bearing capacity and for repelling water from the road surface,previous efforts have thus far failed to provide an environmentallyappropriate solution to the secondary road erosion and maintenanceissues that have long plagued the art. Thus, there is a need in the artfor improved compositions that provide extraordinary increases in loadbearing capacity, outstanding dust retardant capabilities, superiorwater repellant properties, and can be administered in a singleapplication phase. Such an improved composition could provide anengineered stabilized water repellant road base and surface topping forearth or gravel roads; or, it could prepare a road sub-base or base forchip sealing, paving, or milling applications.

Repairing damaged roadways by conventional methods can be extremelyexpensive, time consuming, and environmentally disruptive because theentire compacted gravel layer of the road must be replaced. Excavatingthe roadbed of a 1-km portion of road measuring 4 m in width producesabout 2000 cubic meters (m³) of earthy waste; in a conventional road bedrepair project, this would require roughly 220 truckloads of waste to beremoved from the worksite, with 220 truckloads of new gravel beingshipped back the worksite to complete the project. In isolatedlocations, or locations with difficult terrain, the expense of removingand later replacing the gravel is exorbitant—as is the impact on localresidents (who must cope with noise and air pollution), normal users ofthe roadway (who experience detours or extended delays during repair),and the landfills that store the removed waste.

As a result, there is a need in the art for a single phase chemicaltreatment method that incorporates soil stabilization, dust retardant,and water repellant chemicals into native soils. With such a singlephase treatment option, road builders will be able improve the longevityof the roadway, impart increased load bearing and traffic capacity, andreduce the time, costs, and environmental impact associated withconventional road repair projects.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

At least one embodiment of the invention is set forth in the followingdescription and is shown in the drawings and is particularly anddistinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows a pulvimixer;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the pulvimixer, wherein the soil or roadbase materials are being pulverized, sprayed, and mixed with thechemical composition of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the pulvimixer;

FIG. 4 shows a graph showing unconfined compressive strength (UCS) in anoven;

FIG. 5 shows a graph showing UCS in a freezer; and,

FIG. 6 shows a graph showing % change in UCS in an oven; and,

FIG. 7 shows a graph showing % change in UCS in a freezer.

IV. SUMMARY

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention arethe provision of a single chemical soil or road base materialimprovement composition that imparts extraordinary dust control, soilstabilization, and water repellency properties onto native soils orother road base materials.

Additionally, the present invention provides a method for a singleapplication phase treatment of soil or road base materials characterizedby reduced cure time, decreased road construction time, reducedenvironmental impact (by virtue of reduced construction waste andtraffic), a wider range of effective application and use temperatures, along life cycle, and a stronger more dust resistant roadway.

Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled inthe art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of thefollowing detailed specification.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a composition for improvingthe properties of soil or other road base materials is provided.Specifically, a blended mixture of the chemical composition detailedbelow is capable of improving the dust retardant, water repellant, andsoil stabilization properties of soil or other road base materials.Incorporating the chemical improvement composition into soil, or otherroad base materials, and then compacting, provides superior resistanceto surface deformations and deterioration by increasing the load-bearingstrength—in some cases, as much as 500%—of the roadway, greatly reducingdust caused by traffic or weather, and eliminating capillary wateruptake that results in moisture damage to the road. This invention is animprovement over traditional methods because it provides a compositionthat can be applied in a single application phase, under a wide range ofambient temperatures and conditions, to resolve all of the aboveproblems in the field of art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of thecomposition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials caninclude a dust suppression and/or soil stabilization composition that isan aqueous emulsion comprising about 0% to about 50% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, and 50) of acrylic polymer, about 0% to about 50% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, and 50) of polyvinyl acetate polymer, about 0% to about 50% byweight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46,47, 48, 49, and 50) glycerin, and about 50% to about 95% by weight(including, but not limited to, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59,60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77,78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and95) of water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics ofthe composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materialscan include a dust suppression and/or soil stabilization compositionthat is an aqueous emulsion comprising about 0% to about 25% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25) of acrylicpolymer, about 0% to about 25% by weight (including, but not limited to,0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25) of polyvinyl acetate polymer, about 0% toabout 50% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43,44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50) glycerin, and about 30% to about 95% byweight (including, but not limited to, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55,56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91,92, 93, 94, and 95) of water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics ofthe composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materialscan include a dust suppression and/or soil stabilization compositionthat is an aqueous emulsion comprising about 0% to about 20% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20) of acrylic polymer, about 0% toabout 20% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20) of polyvinylacetate polymer, about 40% to about 99% by weight (including, but notlimited to, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72,73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90,91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, and 99) glycerin, and about 0% to about40% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40) of water.

In another embodiment, wherein the temperatures will be above freezing,the composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materialsis comprised of an aqueous solution of a water repellant in combinationwith an aqueous emulsion of a soil stabilizer and dust retardant. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of thecomposition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials caninclude an aqueous solution of a water repellant that comprises about1.0% to about 5.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4,and 5) of potassium hydroxide; about 10.0% to about 30.0% by weight(including, but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30) of potassiummethylsiliconate; and about 65.0% to about 89.0% by weight (including,but not limited to, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77,78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89) of water. In yetanother embodiment of the invention, instead of the aforementionedpotassium methylsiliconate, the aqueous solution of a water repellantcomprises about 10.0% to about 30.0% by weight (including, but notlimited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30) of sodium methylsiliconate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of thecomposition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials caninclude a dust suppression and/or soil stabilization composition that isan aqueous emulsion comprising about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight(including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60) of polyacrylic acid and polyvinylacetate and 40.0% to about 95.0% by weight (including, but not limitedto, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56,57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92,93, 94, and 95) of water. It is to be understood that this embodimentcould consist of straight acrylic, straight polyvinyl acetate or an SBR(styrene butadiene rubber), all in blends, copolymers, or homopolymers.

In a different embodiment of the present invention, the characteristicsof the composition for chemical improvement of soil or road basematerials can include a dust suppression and/or soil stabilizationcomposition that is an aqueous emulsion comprising about 0.1% to about20.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1,6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9,9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20) of acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetatepolymer; about 40.0% to about 99.8% by weight (including, but notlimited to, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72,73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90,91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5,99.6, 99.7, 99.8) of glycerin; and about 0.1% to about 40.0% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8,0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2,2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0,5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4,6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8,7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2,9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,37, 38, 39, and 40) of water.

In another embodiment of the invention, the composition for chemicalimprovement of soil or road base materials can comprise about 2.5% toabout 30.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7,2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2,4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6,5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0,7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4,8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8,9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, and 30) of polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl acetate polymer;about 0.5% to about 2.5% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0.5,0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0,2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5) of potassium hydroxide; about 5.0% to about15.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, and 15) of potassium methylsiliconate; and about 52.5% toabout 92.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 52.5, 52.6, 52.7,52.8, 52.9, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, and 92) of water.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the composition for chemicalimprovement of soil or road base materials can comprise about 3.75% toabout 45.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 3.75, 3.76, 3.77,3.78, 3.79, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35,36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45) of polyacrylic acid andpolyvinyl acetate polymer; about 0.25% to about 1.25% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4,0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.24, and1.25) of potassium hydroxide; about 2.5% to about 7.5% by weight(including, but not limited to, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1,6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and7.5) of potassium methylsiliconate; and about 46.25% to about 93.5% byweight (including, but not limited to, 46.25, 46.26, 46.27, 46.28,46.29, 46.3, 46.4, 46.5, 46.6, 46.7, 46.8, 46.9, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88,89, 90, 91, 92, 93.0, 93.1, 93.2, 93.3, 93.4, and 93.5) of water.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the composition forchemical improvement of soil or road base materials can comprise about1.25% to about 15.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 1.25,1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.29, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15) of polyacrylic acid andpolyvinyl acetate polymer; about 0.75% to about 3.75% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.9,1, 2, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.70, 3.71, 3.72, 3.73, 3.74, and3.75) of potassium hydroxide; about 7.5% to about 22.5% by weight(including, but not limited to, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.0, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4,and 22.5) of potassium methylsiliconate; and about 58.75% to about 90.5%by weight (including, but not limited to, 58.75, 58.76, 58.77, 58.78,58.79, 58.8, 58.9, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71,72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,90.0, 90.1, 90.2, 90.3, 90.4, and 90.5) of water. It is to be understoodthat this embodiment could comprise mixtures, copolymers, orhomopolymers of acrylics, polyvinyl acetates, styrene butadiene rubbers,and styrene acrylics.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, the dustsuppression and/or soil stabilization portion of the composition canalso include an emulsifier. Furthermore, in certain embodiments of theinvention, the polyacrylic acid and/or polyvinyl acetate can comprise amixture of homopolymers, or can comprise one or more copolymers. Someembodiments may include styrene butadiene rubber and relatedcompositions, copolymers, and/or derivatives thereof. The chemicalcompositions described above are manufactured using conventionalmanufacturing equipment. Conventional mixers, emulsifiers, or colloidmills are utilized to blend these components into stable heterogeneousmixers or emulsions.

According to embodiments where the polyacrylic acid and/or polyvinylacetate components comprise homopolymers, the homopolymer components canbe present in ratios from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 by mass ofpolyacrylic acid to polyvinyl acetate; or, from about 1:1 to about1:10,000 by mass of polyvinyl acetate to polyacrylic acid.

According to embodiments where the polyacrylic acid and/or polyvinylacetate components comprise one or more copolymers, the copolymers cancomprise random copolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers and thelike or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the ratio of acrylic acidunits to vinyl acetate units within a copolymer can comprise from about1:1 to about 1:10,000 by mass of acrylic acid units to vinyl acetateunits; or, from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 by mass of vinyl acetateunits to acrylic acid units.

Regardless of whether the embodiment comprises homopolymers and/orcopolymers, each polymer component can be present in a wide variety ofmolecular weights and polydispersities thereof. For instance, suitablemolecular weight ranges can comprise from about 10³ to about 10⁴ g/mol,from about 10⁴ to about 10⁵ g/mol, from about 10⁵ to about 10⁶ g/mol,from about 10⁶ to about 10⁷ g/mol, from about 10⁷ to about 10⁸ g/mol,from about 10⁸ to about 10⁹ g/mol, or even from about 10⁹ to about 10¹⁰g/mol. Here, as elsewhere in the specification and claims, ranges may becombined. Furthermore, the foregoing molecular weight ranges can becalculated according to any method known in the art including, withoutlimitation, weight average molecular weight and number average molecularweight. One of skill in the art will recognize that the numerical valueof a polymer molecular weight differs according to the calculationmethod.

A composition according to the aforementioned embodiments can comprise adust suppression, soil stabilization, and/or water repellant compositionthat can, for instance, be applied to unpaved road surfaces (eithersoil, earth, dirt, gravel, or other conventional aggregate substances).Such compositions may decrease the amount of dust caused by wind erosionor generated by vehicles operating on the unpaved surface. Otherembodiments can alternatively or additionally comprise a soilstabilization composition that increases the California Bearing Ratio(CBR value) and R-value of the soil or road base. In still otherembodiments, the composition can alternatively or additionally comprisea water repellant component that eliminates, or greatly reduces,capillary water uptake into road surfaces, bases, and sub-bases.Accordingly, such compositions can increase the weight-bearing capacityof an unpaved road surface, prevent erosion thereof, prevent wateruptake thereof, or otherwise enhance the mechanical characteristics ofthe soil to which it is applied.

In several embodiments of the present invention, methods for improvingsoil or road base materials are provided. In one embodiment, aheterogeneous mixture of an aqueous solution of a water repellant andaqueous emulsion of a soil stabilizer and dust retardant—according tothe various chemical embodiments described above—is provided and appliedto soil or road base materials (thereafter, “treated soil or road basematerials”). As used in this patent application, the term “soil” isbroadly used to describe the top layer of the earth's surface,consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with organic matter (alsoknown as, by non-limiting reference, earth or dirt); whether originallylocated at the road construction site (“native soil” or “in situ soil”)or transported to the road construction site. As used in this patentapplication, the phrase “road base materials” is broadly used todescribe any substance from which a road surface, base, or sub-basecould be constructed; including, but certainly not limited to by thisnon-limiting reference, rock, broken rock, gravel (whether pebble,granule, or other size or mixture), sand, cobble, slag, or otherconstruction aggregate or fill material. In these embodiments, thematerial being treated is graded prior to application. Soil high inorganic matter, because it is not cohesive, creates some difficultiesestablishing the reaction necessary to render the soil hydrophobic. Themanner of composition application can include any method chosen withsound engineering judgment; but in most instances, application of thechemical agent to the soil is accomplished by the use of conventionalspray equipment (spray trucks). The agent is gravity fed or pumpedthrough hoses, spray nozzles, or fixed sprayers and evenly applied tothe soil or material to be treated.

In some embodiments of the invention, the soil or road base materialsare scarified (ripped open)—preferably to a depth of about 4-6 inches—byconventional road construction graders (particularly graders with rakeattachments) prior to application of the soil or road base materialchemical improvement composition. This has the effect of allowing thecomposition to penetrate and permeate the soil or road base material toa greater degree. Once applied, the composition penetrates into the soilor road base materials where particle weighting and loading mechanismsachieved through the processes of adsorption, prompt adherence ofmolecules to the surface of particles and absorption and penetration ofthe substance into the inner structure of the particles. The waterrepellant portion of the composition reacts with minerals in the soil orroad base materials and rapidly forms a hydrophobic silicone resinnetwork that does not close pores in the substances, but rather permitsthe road to “breathe” in spite of water repellant properties. During theinventive process, evaporation of water occurs. The polymers of theaqueous acrylic polymer emulsion coalesce and form an intimate bond withthe soil upon evaporation of the water. The sodium silicate andpotassium silicate in water uses cohesion of the soil particles to formdiscrete hydrophobic silicone networks.

In one embodiment of the invention, the treated soil or road basematerials are graded and compacted, using any means chosen with soundengineering judgment, and a top coat of the composition is applied.Motor-graders, asphalt grinders, mixers, pug mills, compactors, rollers,and other conventional construction equipment may be utilized to blend,set grade, and compact stabilized base, if necessary, as described inherein. A top coat is defined broadly as any application of the soil orroad base materials chemical improvement composition that is appliedafter compaction.

In one embodiment, penetration is dramatically improved by mechanicallymixing the chemical composition into soil or road base materials duringthe application step. The mechanical mixing process can include, but isnot limited to, the use of a specialized machine called a “pulvimixer”(shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pulvimixermechanically mixes the composition with the soil or road base materialsby simultaneously: 1) scarifying the soil or road base materials, whichwhen accomplished by a pulvimixer can additionally include breaking up(pulverizing) large pieces of stone or road topping in a mixing chamber;(2) applying the chemical improvement composition; (3) thoroughly mixingthe chemical improvement composition with the pulverized soil or roadbase material; and (4) grading the treated soil or road base material.This single application phase method prepares the treated soil or roadbase material—which is now a thoroughly mixed, homogeneous, well-gradedroadbed—for leveling and compaction. In some embodiments of theinvention, a top coat is then applied to the mechanically mixed andcompacted soil or road base materials. In other embodiments, a surfacecourse is applied to the compacted soil or road base materials prior toapplication of the top coat. A surface course can include anycombination of road surface materials used in the art; including, butnot limited to, asphalt concrete and bituminous surface treatments suchas chip seal.

Effective application amounts of some embodiments can comprise fromabout 1 liter per cubic meter of soil (i.e. 1 L/m³) to about 10 L/m³,from about 10 L/m³ to about 20 L/m³, from about 20 L/m³ to about 30L/m³, from about 30 L/m³ to about 40 L/m³, from about 40 L/m³ to about50 L/m³, from about 50 L/m³ to about 60 L/m³, from about 60 L/m³ toabout 70 L/m³, from about 70 L/m³ to about 80 L/m³, from about 80 L/m³to about 90 L/m³, from about 90 L/m³ to about 100 L/m³, or even greaterthan 100 L/m³.

The proper application of the chemical compositions for improvement ofsoil or road base materials of the present invention, particularly usingthe methodologies described above, greatly improves the load bearingstrength of unpaved roads, makes them virtually resistant to thedamaging effects of capillary water uptake and water erosion, andprovides superior dust retardant properties—under a wider range ofeffective application and use temperatures—than any composition in theprior art. Moreover, the chemical compositions described and claimedherein can be applied in a single phase to native soils, and due toreduced cure times the result is decreased road construction time,reduced environmental impact (by virtue of reduced construction wasteand traffic), and a longer life cycle.

With reference now to FIGS. 4-7, mine tailings (large piles of crushedrock that are left over after the metals of interest like lead, zinc,copper, silver, gold and others, have been extracted from the mineralrocks that contained them) were used for all UCS tests. Standard UCScores were used with a diameter of 3 inches (7.72 cm) and compacted to adepth of 3 inches (7.62 cm). All application rates were calculated usingthe surface area of the UCS cores. Dilution was based on optimummoisture of the tailings. Oven samples were prepared and dried in a 104°F. (40° C.) oven for 48 hours. Freezer samples were allowed to acclimateat room temperature for 4 hours then put into a 30° F. (−1.1° C.)freezer for 18 hours. Upon removal from the freezer, the samples wereallowed to come to room temperature then dried in a 104° F. (40° C.)oven for 48 hours before breaking. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate thedifferences in UCS of the test samples of polymer and glycerin versusthe controls of polymers alone. In both the oven and freezer samples thecores at 1 gal/100 sq. ft. (0.41 L/m²) showed marginal change in UCSversus the controls. However, at a lower application rate the additionof glycerin to the polymer had a more profound effect. FIGS. 6 and 7show the percentage change in UCS over the control. PBs is acrylicpolymer and polyvinyl acetate polymer at about 5% to about 60% by weightand water at about 40% to about 95% by weight with 40% solids. The waterused in all samples, test and control, was to bring sample moisture tooptimum moisture. So the water level varied depending on the amount ofchemical used. The graphs illustrate the effect varying the polymer toglycerin ratio has on the polymer strength. Application rates of 1gal/100 sq. ft. (0.41 L/m²) and 1 gal/500 sq. ft. (0.082 L/m²) are bothshown.

In the following Tables 1-15, results are shown for two of theembodiments of the composition (Biotrol—polymer, glycerin, and 30 to 95%water and Newtrol—polymer, 40 to 99% glycerin, and water). Thecompositions were applied in three concentrations, 0.4 gallons/sq. yd.(gsy) (1.81 L/m²), 0.8 gsy) (3.62 L/m²), and 1.2 gsy) (5.43 L/m²) to theground sample. The tables show the various results.

TABLE 1 0.4 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeInitial Weight, Initial Weight, Initial Weight, Spraying, Spraying,Spraying, Name Sample 1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 (kg)Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Biotrol 2.68 2.68 2.672 2.716 2.722 2.714Newtrol 2.678 2.632 2.616 2.718 2.676 2.656

TABLE 2 0.4 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeCuring, Curing, Curing, Optical Max Optical Max Optical Max Name Sample1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Biotrol2.682 2.682 2.672 39.14 32.64 33.2 Newtrol 2.694 2.66 2.632 30.86 52.4887.89

TABLE 3 0.4 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeBlowing, Blowing, Blowing, Min Crust, Min Crust, Min Crust, Name Sample1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 (in.) Sample 2 (in.) Sample3 (in.) Biotrol 2.662 2.66 2.654 0.28 0.28 0.3 Newtrol 2.576 2.054 1.6980.32 0.46 0.31

TABLE 4 0.4 GSY Weight Loss, Weight Loss, Weight Loss, Dust PallativeMax Crust, Max Crust, Max Crust, Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Name Sample1 (in.) Sample 2 (in.) Sample 3 (in.) (grams) (grams) (grams) Biotrol0.4 0.73 0.56 20 22 18 Newtrol 0.58 0.92 0.46 118 606 934

TABLE 5 0.4 GSY Dust Pallative Average Stdev Average Max Stdev MaxAverage Stdev Name Weight Loss Weight Loss Crust Depth Crust DepthOptical Optical Biotrol 20.00 2.00 0.56 0.17 34.99 3.60 Newtrol 552.67410.61 0.65 0.24 57.07 28.79

TABLE 6 0.8 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeInitial Weight, Initial Weight, Initial Weight, Spraying, Spraying,Spraying, Name Sample 1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 (kg)Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Biotrol 2.684 2.676 2.696 2.744 2.742 2.762Newtrol 2.658 2.624 2.582 2.732 2.702 2.64

TABLE 7 0.8 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeCuring, Curing, Curing, Optical Max Optical Max Optical Max Name Sample1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Biotrol2.678 2.682 2.696 29.13 34.63 32.7 Newtrol 2.7 2.67 2.614 169.55 35.9134.43

TABLE 8 0.8 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeBlowing, Blowing, Blowing, Min Crust, Min Crust, Min Crust, Name Sample1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 (in.) Sample 2 (in.) Sample3 (in.) Biotrol 2.678 2.668 2.694 0.61 0.26 0.29 Newtrol 2.66 2.62 2.570.57 0.47 0.37

TABLE 9 0.8 GSY Weight Loss, Weight Loss, Weight Loss, Dust PallativeMax Crust, Max Crust, Max Crust, Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Name Sample1 (in.) Sample 2 (in.) Sample 3 (in.) (grams) (grams) (grams) Biotrol1.15 0.9 1.01 0 14 2 Newtrol 0.86 0.76 0.7 40 50 44

TABLE 10 0.8 GSY Dust Pallative Average Stdev Average Max Stdev MaxAverage Stdev Name Weight Loss Weight Loss Crust Depth Crust DepthOptical Optical Biotrol 5.33 7.57 1.02 0.13 32.153333 2.790454 Newtrol44.67 5.03 0.77 0.08 79.963333 77.587858

TABLE 11 1.2 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeInitial Weight, Initial Weight, Initial Weight, Spraying, Spraying,Spraying, Name Sample 1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 (kg)Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Biotrol 2.68 2.666 2.678 2.756 2.756 2.758Newtrol 2.642 2.632 2.632 2.724 2.73 2.708

TABLE 12 1.2 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeCuring, Curing, Curing, Optical Max Optical Max Optical Max Name Sample1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Biotrol2.68 2.678 2.686 35.29 28.22 28.12 Newtrol 2.698 2.712 2.666 32.89 32.726.53

TABLE 13 1.2 GSY Weight after Weight after Weight after Dust PallativeBlowing, Blowing, Blowing, Min Crust, Min Crust, Min Crust, Name Sample1 (kg) Sample 2 (kg) Sample 3 (kg) Sample 1 (in.) Sample 2 (in.) Sample3 (in.) Biotrol 2.67 2.664 2.66 0.72 0.8 0.85 Newtrol 2.664 2.674 2.640.41 0.75 0.71

TABLE 14 1.2 GSY Weight Loss, Weight Loss, Weight Loss, Dust PallativeMax Crust, Max Crust, Max Crust, Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Name Sample1 (in.) Sample 2 (in.) Sample 3 (in.) (grams) (grams) (grams) Biotrol1.01 1.25 1.1 10 14 26 Newtrol 0.8 1.25 1.2 34 38 26

TABLE 15 1.2 GSY Dust Pallative Average Stdev Average Max Stdev MaxAverage Stdev Name Weight Loss Weight Loss Crust Depth Crust DepthOptical Optical Biotrol 16.67 8.33 1.12 0.12 30.543333 4.111038 Newtrol32.67 6.11 1.08 0.25 30.706667 3.6183468

In another embodiment, the composition includes a superabsorbentpolymer, water, and glycerin. The superabsorbent polymers are chosenfrom the group comprising polymerized acrylic amide (PAM), polyacrylate,PAM/polyacrylate copolymer linear, and PAM/polyacrylate copolymercrosslinked. In one embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer is about 0.1%to about 25% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3,0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7,1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1,3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5,4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9,6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3,7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7,8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25), the water isabout 0% to about 99.9% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75,76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93,94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7,99.8, and 99.9), and the glycerin is about 0% to about 60% by weight(including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60). In oneembodiment, the superabsorbent polymer is PAM/polyacrylate copolymerlinear, and the composition is about 3% to about 7% (including, but notlimited to, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) by weight polymer, about 37% to about 39%(including, but not limited to, 37, 38, and 39) by weight water, andabout 56% to about 58% (including, but not limited to, 56, 57, and 58)by weight glycerin.

In another embodiment, the composition is a superabsorbent polymer andwater, wherein the polymer is about 0.1% to about 25% (including, butnot limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1,1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5,2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9,4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3,5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7,6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1,8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5,9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,23, 24, and 25) by weight and the water is about 75% to about 99.9%(including, but not limited to, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84,85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99.0, 99.1,99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8, and 99.9) by weight.

In another embodiment, the composition is a superabsorbent polymer,water, glycerin, and acrylic polymer/polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion,wherein the polymer is about 0.1% to about 15% (including, but notlimited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2,1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0,4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4,5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8,6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2,8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6,9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15) by weight, the water is about0% to about 40% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40),the glycerin is about 0% to about 60% by weight (including, but notlimited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60), and the emulsion is about 0% toabout 40% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40).

In another embodiment, the composition is a superabsorbent polymer,water, and acrylic polymer/polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion, whereinthe polymer is about 0.1% to about 15% (including, but not limited to,0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8,2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2,4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6,5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0,7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4,8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8,9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15) by weight, the water is about 0% toabout 60% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43,44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60),and the emulsion is about 0% to about 40% by weight (including, but notlimited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40).

In another embodiment, wherein the temperature is above freezing, any ofthe compositions in the above four paragraphs can be mixed with anaqueous solution of a water repellant that comprises about 1.0% to about5.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) ofpotassium hydroxide; about 10.0% to about 30.0% by weight (including,but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30) of potassium methylsiliconate; andabout 65.0% to about 89.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 65,66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,84, 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89) of water. In yet another embodiment of theinvention, instead of the aforementioned potassium methylsiliconate, theaqueous solution of a water repellant comprises about 10.0% to about30.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30) ofsodium methylsiliconate.

The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof. Although the descriptionabove contains much specificity, this should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providingillustrations of some of the embodiments of this invention. Variousother embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope.

Furthermore, notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameterssetting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently containcertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements. “Approximately” and “about”are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. The use of“approximately 0%” and “about 0%” is intended to mean an amount greaterthan 0.

1. A composition for dust suppression, the composition comprising: anacrylic polymer; a polyvinyl acetate polymer; a water repellantcomprising: water; potassium hydroxide; a methylsiliconate; and,glycerin, wherein the polymers, glycerin, and water form an aqueousacrylic vinyl acetate polymer emulsion.
 2. The composition of claim 1,wherein the acrylic polymer is between approximately 0% andapproximately 40% by weight, the polyvinyl acetate polymer is betweenapproximately 0% and approximately 40% by weight, and the glycerin isbetween approximately 0% and approximately 40% by weight, the potassiumhydroxide is between approximately 0.25% and approximately 3.75% byweight, the methylsiliconate is between approximately 2.5% toapproximately 22.5% by weight, and the water is between approximately50% to approximately 95% by weight.
 3. The composition of claim 1,wherein the acrylic polymer is between approximately 0% by weight andapproximately 20% by weight, the polyvinyl acetate polymer is betweenapproximately 0% by weight and approximately 20% by weight, the glycerinis between approximately 40% by weight and approximately 95% by weight,the potassium hydroxide is between approximately 0.25% and approximately3.75% by weight, the methylsiliconate is between approximately 2.5% toapproximately 22.5% by weight, and the water is between approximately 0%by weight and approximately 40% by weight.
 4. The composition of claim1, wherein the composition further comprises an emulsifier.
 5. Thecomposition of claim 4, wherein the acrylic polymer and polyvinylacetate polymer comprise a mixture of homopolymers.
 6. The compositionof claim 5, wherein the acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetate polymerhomopolymers are present in ratios from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 bymass of acrylic polymer to polyvinyl acetate polymer.
 7. The compositionof claim 5, wherein the acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetate polymerhomopolymers are present in ratios from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 bymass of polyvinyl acetate polymer to acrylic polymer.
 8. The compositionof claim 4, wherein the acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetate polymercomprise a blend of copolymers.
 9. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe composition comprises approximately 0% to approximately 25% byweight of acrylic polymer, approximately 0% to approximately 25% byweight of polyvinyl acetate polymer, approximately 0% to approximately25% by weight of glycerin, approximately 0.25% to approximately 3.75% byweight of potassium hydroxide, approximately 2.5% to approximately 22.5%by weight of methylsiliconate, and approximately 50% to approximately95% by weight of water.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein themethylsiliconate is either potassium methylsiliconate or sodiummethylsiliconate.
 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein thecomposition comprises approximately 0.1% to approximately 20.0% byweight of acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetate polymer, approximately40.0% to approximately 99.8% by weight of glycerin, the potassiumhydroxide is between approximately 0.25% and approximately 3.75% byweight, the methylsiliconate is between approximately 2.5% toapproximately 22.5% by weight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately40.0% by weight of water.
 12. A method for improving soil or road basematerials, comprising the steps of: (A) providing a compositioncomprising: an emuslion of acrylic polymer, polyvinyl acetate polymer,glycerin, and water; and, a water repellant comprising potassiumhydroxide, potassium or sodium methylsiliconate, and water; (B) applyingthe composition to soil or road base materials; and (C) allowing thecomposition to penetrate the soil or road base materials.
 13. The methodof claim 12, wherein the composition comprises two or more of: acrylicpolymer in an amount from approximately 0% to approximately 50.0% byweight; polyvinyl acetate polymer in an amount from approximately 0% toapproximately 50.0% by weight; glycerin in an amount from approximately0% to approximately 50.0% by weight; water repellant comprising:potassium hydroxide in an amount from approximately 0.25% toapproximately 3.75% by weight; potassium or sodium methylsiliconate inan amount from approximately 10% to approximately 30% by weight; and,water in an amount from approximately 65% to approximately 89% by weightwater in an amount from approximately 50.0% to approximately 95.0%. 14.The method of claim 12, wherein step (B) further comprises scarifyingthe soil or road base materials before applying the composition to thesoil or road base materials.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising steps of: (D) grading and compacting the treated soil or roadbase materials; and, (E) applying a top coat of the composition.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein step (B) further comprises mechanicallymixing the composition with the soil or road base materials.
 17. Acomposition for dust suppression, the composition comprising: asuperabsorbent polymer; potassium hydroxide; potassium or sodiummethylsiliconate; and, water.
 18. The composition of claim 17, whereinthe composition further comprises: glycerin.
 19. The composition ofclaim 18, wherein the composition further comprises: an acrylicpolymer/polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion.
 20. The composition of claim17, wherein the composition further comprises: an acrylicpolymer/polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion.
 21. The composition of claim18, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is chosen from the groupcomprising polymerized acrylic amide (PAM), polyacrylate,PAM/polyacrylate copolymer linear, and PAM/polyacrylate copolymercrosslinked.
 22. The composition of claim 19, wherein the superabsorbentpolymer is chosen from the group comprising polymerized acrylic amide(PAM), polyacrylate, PAM/polyacrylate copolymer linear, andPAM/polyacrylate copolymer crosslinked.
 23. The composition of claim 20,wherein the superabsorbent polymer is chosen from the group comprisingpolymerized acrylic amide (PAM), polyacrylate, PAM/polyacrylatecopolymer linear, and PAM/polyacrylate copolymer crosslinked.
 24. Thecomposition of claim 17, wherein the polymer is approximately 0.1% byweight to approximately 25% by weight and the water is approximately 75%by weight to approximately 84.9% by weight, the potassium hydroxide isapproximately 0.25% to approximately 5%, and the methylsiliconate isapproximately 10% to approximately 30%.
 25. The composition of claim 18,wherein the polymer is approximately 0.1% by weight to approximately 25%by weight, the glycerin is approximately 0% to approximately 60%, andthe water is approximately 0% by weight to approximately 84.9% byweight, the potassium hydroxide is approximately 0.25% to approximately5%, and the methylsiliconate is approximately 10% to approximately 30%.26. The composition of claim 19, wherein the polymer is approximately0.1% by weight to approximately 15% by weight, the glycerin isapproximately 0% to approximately 60%, the acrylic polymer/polyvinylacetate polymer emulsion is approximately 0% to approximately 40% byweight, and the water is approximately 0% by weight to approximately 40%by weight.
 27. The composition of claim 20, wherein the polymer isapproximately 0.1% by weight to approximately 15% by weight, the acrylicpolymer/polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion is approximately 0% toapproximately 40% by weight, and the water is approximately 0% by weightto approximately 60% by weight.
 28. The composition of claim 21, whereinthe polymer is PAM/polyacrylate copolymer linear, wherein the polymer isapproximately 3% to approximately 7% by weight, the water isapproximately 37% to approximately 39% by weight, and the glycerin isapproximately 56% to approximately 58% by weight.